A Queensland council has retrospectively approved a blueberry farm in Geham, following the revelation that construction commenced without the necessary local government consents. Rolfe Nominees initiated the development of the orchard on their 32-hectare property, engaging in activities such as clearing trees, excavating dams, and planting blueberries before securing approval. The Toowoomba Regional Council was later approached with a development application to transition the land use from "grazing native vegetation" to "intensive horticulture".
During a council meeting, it was disclosed that construction persisted even after the application submission, drawing attention to the project's compliance issues. The developer's representative described the situation as a case of "misadventure", acknowledging the unconventional sequence of actions but affirming the potential for rectification and compliance. Despite opposition from Deputy Mayor Rebecca Vonhoff and concerns raised by neighboring property owners regarding environmental and regulatory compliance, the council ultimately sanctioned the development with an 8 to 2 vote. The approval was contingent on future construction being monitored by the council's operational works team.
The development had previously attracted scrutiny for environmental violations, including the illegal clearing of koala habitats, resulting in fines and enforcement notices from the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation. Local residents expressed apprehensions about the project's impact on the environment and community standards. Nonetheless, the council's decision reflects a broader dialogue on development compliance and the balance between economic development and environmental preservation within the region.
Experts in town planning, like Alex Steffan, note that instances of development commencement without formal approval are not uncommon and often stem from misunderstandings of the regulatory framework rather than deliberate non-compliance. Queensland's approach to such cases typically involves educational interventions aimed at fostering better understanding and compliance among developers.
Source: ABC Net